John,

If you own a business, should your competitors get a vote in your business decisions? Should they get to veto your plans to expand your business and build new facilities?

That's exactly what happens in health care thanks to state laws known as "certificate of need."

These laws mean medical providers can't set up shop or add new beds without permission from government commissions — commissions heavily influenced by competitive providers.

As you'll recall, Americans for Prosperity’s goal is to stop the worst threats in Washington, D.C. and show a better way by driving good reforms at the state level.

Consider South Carolina.

For too long, their certificate-of-need law has limited patients’ access to quality, affordable care and has given special interests and bureaucratic red tape a stranglehold on the state’s health care system.

That’s why AFP has been driving the grassroots momentum behind its repeal.

But this isn’t just a problem in South Carolina. There are 34 other states with certificate-of-need laws that limit health care access and choice for Americans.

In fact, health care costs are 11% higher in states with these laws than in those without, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Recently, the South Carolina state Senate overwhelmingly passed a bill that would repeal the state's certificate-of-need law!

This opens the door to greater quality and access in South Carolina’s health care marketplace. The bill is currently being considered in the state House.

You’ve been enabling AFP to lead this fight since 2017, and now we’re on the cusp of a victory that could have repercussions across the country. 

So how do we help get this critical legislation across the finish line this year?

You!  

John, you’re part of our unmatched grassroots outreach and data capability. And we’re cautiously optimistic that this is the year this crucial legislation is passed.

Because of your support for AFP’s grassroots engagement, the momentum for good policy reform is building all over the country. 

Last year alone, AFP helped pass 57 free-market health care reforms in 27 states to transform our health care system for all Americans. AFP has already won on this issue in Florida and New Hampshire. And AFP activists are gearing up for health care fights in Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas. 

This is just one piece of our larger initiative to reimagine health care. If you’re passionate about driving a new vision, please help keep this momentum going.

Keep contacting your legislators, volunteering, and learning about the Personal Option plan for free-market solutions to health care that my colleagues Dean Clancy and Charlie Ketabi have been emailing you about.

Best,

—Emily

Emily Seidel
President and CEO
Americans for Prosperity